Description

The Cardi-A1c Panel is designed for individuals who want a thorough assessment of cardiovascular and metabolic health. It is especially appropriate for:

  • Those at high risk for heart disease (family history, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, smoking history)
  • Individuals managing diabetes or prediabetes
  • People using GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic®, Wegovy®, Mounjaro®, Zepbound® or their generics (Semaglutide or Tirzepatide) for blood sugar control or weight loss
  • Patients with a history of heart attack, stroke, or other cardiovascular events
  • Anyone seeking a preventive health approach to reduce future risk of heart and metabolic disease

Benefits of this panel

This advanced test goes beyond standard cholesterol checks by measuring lipid particle size and number, inflammation, insulin resistance, genetic lipid risk, and long-term blood sugar control. It helps detect hidden risks even when traditional cholesterol levels appear normal and can guide personalized treatment to lower the chance of heart attack, stroke, and diabetic complications.

Biomarkers

  • Apo A1 – Main protein in HDL (“good” cholesterol). Higher levels are linked to better cholesterol clearance and lower heart risk.
  • Apo B – Main protein in LDL and other atherogenic lipoproteins. A more accurate predictor of heart disease risk than LDL cholesterol alone.
  • Buoyant HDL 2b – Large, protective HDL particles that help remove cholesterol from artery walls. Higher levels are beneficial.
  • Dense LDL III – Smaller LDL particles that penetrate artery walls easily, increasing plaque buildup risk.
  • Dense LDL IV – The smallest, most atherogenic LDL particles; strongly linked to cardiovascular disease.
  • Fasting Insulin – Measures baseline insulin levels. Elevated levels may indicate insulin resistance, which raises the risk of diabetes and heart disease.
  • HDL – “Good” cholesterol that removes excess cholesterol from the bloodstream. Higher levels are protective.
  • HDL-P – The number of HDL particles. More particles may mean better cholesterol transport and heart protection.
  • HbA1c – Reflects average blood sugar levels over the past 2–3 months. Used to diagnose and monitor diabetes and assess risk of complications.
  • Homocysteine – Amino acid; high levels can damage blood vessels and promote clot formation.
  • LDL – “Bad” cholesterol that can build up in artery walls, increasing cardiovascular risk.
  • LDL-P – The number of LDL particles; higher numbers are associated with greater heart disease risk regardless of LDL cholesterol concentration.
  • Lp(a) – A genetic cholesterol marker; high levels significantly increase cardiovascular risk, especially when combined with other lipid abnormalities.
  • Remnant Lipoprotein – Triglyceride-rich particles linked to arterial plaque buildup and inflammation.
  • Total Cholesterol – Combined amount of HDL, LDL, and other lipid fractions. Used as a general indicator of cholesterol status.
  • Triglycerides – Fat in the blood; high levels can increase the risk of heart disease and pancreatitis.
  • VLDL-P – Number of very-low-density lipoprotein particles; carries triglycerides in the blood and can contribute to plaque buildup.
  • hs-CRP – High-sensitivity C-reactive protein; measures low-grade inflammation linked to cardiovascular disease risk.
  • non-HDL – Total cholesterol minus HDL; represents all “bad” cholesterol types combined.
  • non-HDL-P – The particle count of all atherogenic (plaque-forming) lipoproteins, excluding HDL.

Fasting recommended